Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine system includes a bridge assembly including a central supporting ring having an axially elongated body and a tongue extending axially from the body. An axial length of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the body. The radial thickness of the body is greater than a radial thickness of the tongue. The system includes a stator having a radially inner circumferential surface and a radially outer circumferential surface. The inner circumferential surface is disposed on a radially outer surface of the tongue. The system includes a bearing mechanism extending axially along the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The mechanism includes one or more bearings. Each bearing includes a surface that extends parallel to the outer circumferential surface of the stator. The system includes a rotor supported radially outward of the stator and configured to rotate relative to the stator about an axis of rotation.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine may include a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements and a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor may be disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor may be a flexible belt structure. The turbine may further include at least one bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator.

Abstract: A hydroelectric turbine may include a stator comprising a first plurality of electricity-generating elements and a rotor comprising a second plurality of electricity-generating elements. The rotor may be disposed radially outward of an outer circumferential surface of the stator and configured to rotate around the stator about an axis of rotation. The rotor may be a flexible belt structure. The turbine may further include at least one bearing mechanism configured to support the rotor relative to the stator during rotation of the rotor around the stator.

Abstract: A retractable hose extension for a vacuum having an expandable hose within a containment structure, a first coupling at the first end of the hose and in the first end of the containment structure for connecting the hose to a vacuum, a valve at the second end of the hose, and either a door or other releasable retention device for the hose. Preferably, the valve is an iris valve. Two fixed embodiment and one portable embodiment exist. The first fixed embodiment is inserted within a wall. The second fixed embodiment is rotatably attached to a tube contained within or running below a ceiling and extending from a vacuum system.

Abstract: A variably curved track-mounted amusement ride having, in a first embodiment, at least one outside curve and at least one inside curve, each lying substantially within a vertical plane and each having an axis of symmetry which is substantially horizontal. The vertical distance occupied by an outside curve is less than that occupied by an inside curve. The track can retain a cart which runs on the track no matter what the orientation of the body of the cart is with respect to the track. Any means that is well known in the art can be used to raise the cart to the beginning of the track. No portion of the track, except optionally the lowest level, lies directly below at least the farthest outside portion of an outside curve. A second embodiment has only outside curves.